Pole Vest

About This Pattern

The colorwork pattern used for this vest, which the designer named Pole, is closely related to the Faroese fisherman’s sweater pattern which means “the chickens pecking”—found in the Faroese pattern book Føroysk bindingarmynstur.

Both patterns are ideal for the fisherman’s sweater due to their quick and easy knitting process. They adhere to the traditional rules placed on knitters selling for export, which included limiting colorwork floats to a maximum of five stitches. The small, tight designs add warmth and insulation. While the Pole vest is lighter and airier than a typical fisherman’s sweater, it still embodies the essence of distinct Faroese knitwear.

Materials

YARN Navia Brushed Tradition (100% Faroese wool; 164 yd [150 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]; sportweight): #1101 Off-White (MC), 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 6) skeins/balls; #1106 Dark Brown (CC), 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) balls.

NEEDLES Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) and size 13 (9 mm): 24" or 32" (60 or 80 cm) circular (cir). Size 10.5 (6.5 mm): double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS Markers (m); tapestry needle.

GAUGE 14 sts and 16 rnds = about 4" (10 cm) in colorwork pattern on larger needles, blocked.

FINISHED SIZE
30¾ (32, 37¾, 41¼, 44½) (48, 51½, 54¾)" (78 [81.5, 96, 105, 113] [122, 131, 139] cm) finished chest circumference. Sample shown measures 37¾" (96 cm) and is worn with 3¾" (9.5 cm) of ease.

Resources

• Visit farmfiberknits.com/abbreviations for terms you don’t know.
  
• Hear from designer and Faroese wool advocate Sissal Kristiansen as a guest on the Long Thread Podcast.

About Sissal Kristiansen: Sissal Kristiansen is the designer and owner of the Faroese knitwear brand Shisa Brand. She is passionate about Faroese knitting, wool, and sheep, and she has initiated the project “The Wool Islands” to promote Faroese wool and knitting.

All items in the library are intended for personal use. Please do not distribute without written approval.